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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
13:18
Data Collection on Marine Litter Ingestion in Sea Turtles and Thresholds for Good Environmental Status
Published on: May 18, 2019
Leatherback turtles: the menace of plastic
N Mrosovsky1, Geraldine D Ryan, Michael C James
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G5. nicholas.mrosovsky@utoronto.ca
Marine Pollution Bulletin
|January 13, 2009
Summary
Leatherback sea turtles mistake plastic garbage for jellyfish, their primary food. Autopsies revealed plastic in 34% of turtles, indicating a significant threat to this marine species.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Conservation Science
- Wildlife Toxicology
Background:
- Leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are large marine reptiles.
- Their diet primarily consists of jellyfish.
- Floating plastic debris in oceans may be mistaken for jellyfish prey.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of plastic ingestion in leatherback sea turtles.
- To analyze historical autopsy data for evidence of plastic in gastrointestinal tracts.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 408 leatherback turtle autopsy records from 1885 to 2007.
- Examination of records for the presence or absence of plastic in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
- Comparison of plastic ingestion rates over time, noting the first report in 1968.
Main Results:
- Plastic was found in the GI tracts of 34% of the studied leatherback turtles.
- When considering only cases from 1968 onwards, the ingestion rate was 37%.
- Some autopsy accounts mentioned gastrointestinal blockage caused by plastic debris.
Conclusions:
- Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to leatherback sea turtles through ingestion and potential GI blockage.
- These findings highlight the impact of anthropogenic debris on marine megafauna.
- The study underscores the need to address plastic pollution to protect vulnerable marine predators and ecosystems.
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